Conversations around pay in the UK have become increasingly prominent, driven by growing concerns around the cost of living, pay transparency, and the widening gap between executive and employee salaries.

Across the country, workers are eager to know how much people in similar roles are earning and whether their own pay reflects today’s economic reality.

The latest figures reveal an interesting pattern. Some industries are seeing solid wage growth driven by skill shortages and higher demand. At the same time, regional differences remain a key part of the trend.

Nevertheless, understanding where salaries stand provides valuable insight into the state of the labour market, helping professionals benchmark their earnings. It equally helps employers assess how competitive their pay structures really are.

 

Key Salary Statistics for the UK

• The average full-time salary in the UK in 2025 is £39,039, up from £37,439 in 2024 — Office for National Statistics
• The national minimum wage rose to £12.21 per hour in 2025, benefiting around 3 million workers aged 21 and above — Government UK
• Overall pay for all workers in both full-time and part-time roles rose by 4.7% in 2025 — ONS
• The UK ranks in 30th position among countries with an average income of $48,610 —  World Data
• Full-time workers earn a median of £766.60 a week — ONS
• Hourly pay (excluding overtime) for full-time workers is £19.67 — ONS
• Public sector average pay grew by 5.7% in August, while private sector pay increased by 4.8% — ONS

Highest Paying Jobs in the UK

Managerial and professional roles continue to dominate the UK’s highest-paying occupations. Demand for technology leadership, medical specialists, and executive-level expertise remains strong. This trend is consistent with global shifts towards digital and data-driven economies.

Job Role	Average Salary
Pilot and Air Controllers	£91,208
IT Directors	£81,588
Chief Executives	£81,328
Marketing, Sales, Advertising, Directors	£80,912
Public Relations and Communications Directors	£73,944
Logistics, Warehousing and Transport Directors	£73,840
Specialist Medical Practitioners	£73,320
Head Teachers and Principals	£71,656
Financial Managers & Directors	£68,744

Source: Forbes

 

Low Paying Jobs in the UK

Entry-level and service-oriented roles continue to occupy the lower end of the pay scale, particularly within hospitality, cleaning, and retail sectors.
 

Job Role	Average Salary
Hospitality	£29,198
Retails Assistants	£28,823
Food Service Workers	£26,520
Delivery & Warehouse Workers	£23,000
Cleaning and Elementary Occupations	£19,312

Source: ONS, Glassdoor

Average Earnings by Region

London continues to lead in pay levels. However, Northern Ireland’s 7.4% pay growth makes it the fastest-rising in 2025.

Region	Average Salary	YoY Growth
London	£65,994	+4.2%
South East	£46,006	+4.5%
Scotland	£43,425	+5.1%
West Midlands	£41,482	+5.0%
North West	£41,105	+4.8%
Yorkshire and Humber	£40,200	+4.6%
Northern Ireland	£39,000	+7.4%
East Midlands	£38,700	+4.2%
North East	£37,900	+4.0%
Wales	£37,800	+4.1%

Source: ONS, Starling Bank

 

Top 10 Cities With the Highest Earnings

London firmly holds the top spot for pay levels. However, Southend-on-Sea and Edinburgh emerge as standout high-paying hubs outside the capital, showing strong competitiveness.

Rank	Cities	Average Salary
1	London	£58,163
2	Edinburgh	£47,892
3	Southend-on-Sea	£46,971
4	Aberdeen	£46,073
5	Warrington	£46,065
6	Brighton	£46,059
7	Bristol	£43,164
8	Newcastle	£41,944
9	Leeds	£41,294
10	Glasglow	£41,240

Source: Metro.co.uk

 

Top 10 Cities With Lowest Earnings

Derry, Plymouth, and Belfast record the lowest average salaries in 2025, highlighting a clear north–south pay divide and continued regional disparities.

Rank	Cities	Average Salary
1	Derry	£28,810
2	Plymouth	£33,566
3	Belfast	£34,046
4	Leicester	£34,246
5	Nottingham	£35,313
6	Sunderland	£36,404
7	Middlesbrough	£36,649
8	Norwich	£37,500
9	Lisburn	£37,789
10	Swansea	£37,997

Source: Metro.co.uk

 

Average Growth Earnings by Industry

The financial and insurance sector recorded the strongest annual growth, reflecting the continued demand for finance and risk professionals. Technology and energy sectors also posted above-average growth.

Industry	Annual Growth
Finance & Insurance	+10.3%
Electricity	+8.3%
Administrative & Support Services	+8.3%
Information & Communication	+6.5%
Transportation	+6.1%
Manufacturing	+5.6%
Human Health and Social Work Activities	+5.5%
Public sector	+5.3%
Private Sector (overall)	+5.4%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	+5.4%
Mining and Quarrying	+5.0%
Education	+4.6%
Construction	+4.7%
Agriculture	+4.5%
Real Estate	+4.1%
Accommodation and Food Services	+3.9%
Wholesale and Retail	+3.1%
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation	+3.4%
Water Supply & Sewage, Waste Management	+1.3%

Source: Official National Statistics

Stats on Gender Pay Gap 

• The gender pay gap for full-time employees in the UK stands at 6.9% in 2025, down slightly from 7.1% in 2024 — ONS
• Median hourly pay (excluding overtime) is £20.27 for men and £18.87 for women in full-time jobs — ONS
• For part-time workers, women earn slightly more than men, with an hourly pay of £14.25 compared with £13.85 for men — ONS
• The gender pay gap is largest for employees aged 40 and over. It rises sharply after this age, reaching 12.5% for ages 50–59 and 12.6% for those 60 and above — ONS
• For younger full-time employees aged 22–29, the pay gap is almost closed at 0.9% — ONS
• Among all full-time occupations, men earn more than women  — ONS
• The largest gaps are in skilled trades, associate professional & technical roles, and process plant & machine operatives — ONS
• The gender pay gap is widest among high earners, reaching 15.2% for top 10% earners — ONS
• Regionally, the gender pay gap is lowest in Northern Ireland, followed by Wales and Scotland, and highest in London and the South East — ONS

Stats on Earnings by Age

• Low pay is most common among young employees aged 16 to 21, where 31.7% earn below the low-pay threshold — ONS
• High earners are typically older, with the largest share among those aged 45 to 49 —  ONS
• Full-time workers aged 18–21 earn around £470 a week, equal to about £24,440 a year —  ONS
• Those aged 22–29 earn about £621 a week, or £32,292 a year — ONS
• Workers aged 30–39 earn an average of £769 a week, equal to £39,988 a year —  ONS
• Earnings peak for employees aged 40–49, who earn around £823 a week, or £42,796 a year —  ONS
• For people aged 50–59, weekly pay averages £778, equal to £40,456 a year —  ONS
• Workers aged 60 and over earn about £693 a week, or £36,036 a year — ONS

 

Future Salary Outlook

Looking ahead, UK wages are expected to continue rising but at a slower pace than in 2025. We anticipate average nominal pay growth of around 3.5% to 4% next year, as inflation stabilises near the Bank of England’s 2% target. However, real wage growth will remain modest, meaning workers will see only a small improvement in their purchasing power.

 

Key points to note

• Technology and AI-related industries are likely to drive future pay growth, with strong demand for data scientists, cybersecurity experts and software developers pushing salaries up.
• Green energy and sustainability roles are also projected to see above-average pay growth, as government and private investment in renewable infrastructure increases.
• London and the South East are likely to maintain their pay advantage, but wage growth in regions such as the North West, Midlands and Scotland is expected to outpace the capital in percentage terms.
• Flexible and hybrid work arrangements will remain a key factor in salary negotiations.
• Conversely, retail, hospitality and administrative sectors may see slower growth, reflecting continued automation and cost pressures.

Conclusion

The latest average salary in the UK points to a labour market that is still adapting to post-pandemic shifts, inflationary pressures, and evolving workplace expectations. Looking forward, sustained wage growth will depend on productivity gains, continued investment in high-skill sectors, and the balance between inflation and interest rate policy. As automation, AI, and green innovation reshape the economy, the UK’s wage landscape will continue to evolve, rewarding adaptability, digital skills, and lifelong learning.